Celebrity Apprentice Donald Trump not running for President

By
Iain Alexander / 16 May 2011

In a dramatic U-turn, Donald Trump announces he will no longer run for President of the United States.

The controversial Billionaire real estate mogul turned TV personality was recently a centerpiece of President Obama’s Correspondents dinner. Prior to the dinner, attended by America’s press and political elite, the Celebrity Apprentice front man had put huge pressure on the issue of ‘Birthers’, and the WhiteHouse released his birth certificate to end rumours that had circulated since 2009.

Until now, Donald Trump had been the Republican Party top choice. Who will now be the key figure in opposing Obama’s re-election in 2012? Will Sarah Palin step in?

Donald Trump Statement

"After considerable deliberation and reflection, I have decided not to pursue the office of the Presidency. This decision does not come easily or without regret; especially when my potential candidacy continues to be validated by ranking at the top of the Republican contenders in polls across the country. I maintain the strong conviction that if I were to run, I would be able to win the primary and ultimately, the general election. I have spent the past several months unofficially campaigning and recognize that running for public office cannot be done half heartedly. Ultimately, however, business is my greatest passion and I am not ready to leave the private sector."